As a scroll containing forbidden techniques, the Scroll of Seals surely had someone assigned to guard it.
With Naruto's strength and intelligence, he could not even have gotten near the Scroll of Seals, let alone stolen it.
The Third Hokage must have arranged something behind the scenes. As for his purpose, Zhou Cheng could not figure it out yet.
Mizuki was only a Chunin. Hiruzen Sarutobi would not need to use the Scroll of Seals as bait for him.
Was it for Orochimaru, who stood behind Mizuki?
That did not seem likely either. Mizuki was just an expendable pawn to Orochimaru. He could not possibly have access to any high-level secrets.
Then was it to train Naruto?
Naruto was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, with enormous chakra reserves. The Multiple Shadow Clone Technique was practically tailor-made for him.
The more Zhou Cheng thought about it, the more alarmed he became.
If this had been for Naruto, then while Zhou Cheng was reading the Scroll of Seals, the Third Hokage must have been watching that forest through his crystal ball.
That meant Zhou Cheng had been completely exposed right under the Third Hokage's nose.
Zhou Cheng cursed himself.
Damn it, I was too impulsive!
Great. Now the Third Hokage has something to hold over me!
What should I do?
Go to Kakashi?
No. We're not close enough yet for him to shield me regardless of the consequences.
Fuck, I'm in trouble!
There's no way out of this!
Defect from Konoha right after arriving?
Well, that's a last resort. I still don't know where the Third Hokage stands.
Maybe there's still room to smooth things over.
Meanwhile.
In the Hokage Office.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was leisurely smoking his pipe.
Still, anyone could tell he was in a good mood.
"Hmph. I only meant to give Naruto a little indirect training, but I ended up with an unexpected bonus!"
"That brat Zhou Cheng actually dared to read the Scroll of Seals without permission!"
"I can use this to make him submit and become my student!"
"There are plenty of precedents in the Shinobi World for someone having multiple teachers."
Hiruzen Sarutobi kept muttering to himself, growing more excited as he spoke. Only when he realized his voice was getting a little loud did he stop!
He continued thinking to himself.
He only wanted the prestige of taking Zhou Cheng as his student-the title that would bind Zhou Cheng firmly to his side.
As long as Zhou Cheng stood with him, he would remain a loyal subordinate even after his three years were up and he left the ANBU.
Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped the ash out of his pipe, refilled it, lit it again, and resumed smoking.
With Zhou Cheng's intelligence, he must have realized he's been discovered. He must be on edge right now.
I won't summon him yet. I'll leave him hanging and let him worry all night.
Then I'll summon him alone and use my understanding of tonight's incident as a pretext for his first round of brainwashing!
At home, Zhou Cheng tossed and turned in bed, unable to calm himself for a long time.
He had already thought of a solution that was barely a solution at all.
He could approach Danzo and ask for protection on the grounds that he had offended the Third Hokage.
He could have Danzo take the brunt of the Third Hokage's anger.
But getting an audience with Danzo would not be easy either.
Zhou Cheng was surely under the Third Hokage's close surveillance now. Every move he made was happening right under the man's nose.
Then there was no way he could hide a visit to Danzo from him!
That damned crystal ball! I'll smash it if I ever get the chance!
And so Zhou Cheng spent the night in fear and dread.
Fortunately, the talent original liquid had strengthened his mind.
Even after a sleepless night, he did not feel particularly tired.
He had only just gotten out of bed when the purple-haired Uzuki Yugao arrived at his home.
"What did you do to make Third-sama so furious?"
Her tone was icy. The ANBU answered solely to the Hokage, and obeying orders was their foremost duty.
But today, the Third Hokage had told her that Zhou Cheng had violated the village's rules and ordered her to bring him to the Hokage Office for questioning.
Zhou Cheng's heart sank. There was no escaping what was coming!
Uzuki Yugao nodded and leaped across the rooftops. He's only just become a Shinobi. There are so many things he doesn't know. Was I a little too harsh?
Following behind her, Zhou Cheng felt somewhat panicked.
The Third Hokage had even sent the ANBU to arrest him. This could not be a small matter.
A flicker of hesitation crossed Zhou Cheng's eyes. If there was no other choice, he would have to take that step.
Soon, Zhou Cheng was brought to the Hokage Office.
Uzuki Yugao led the way inside.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was alone in the office, sitting upright with a stern expression. Brat, just watch how I bring you to heel!
"Zhou Cheng, do you know why you've been brought here?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi unleashed the intimidating pressure of a Kage-level powerhouse. He wanted to make Zhou Cheng despair before soothing him.
As a seasoned political operator, he was more than familiar with the carrot-and-stick approach.
Naturally, Zhou Cheng would not admit anything. He played dumb.
"I don't know!"
Feigning fury, Hiruzen Sarutobi slammed his hand onto the desk with a thunderous bang.
"Still making excuses? Do you dare claim you didn't read the Scroll of Seals without permission last night?"
Zhou Cheng raised an eyebrow. The Third Hokage really had seen everything that happened last night through his crystal ball.
"The Scroll of Seals? What's that?"
"I did read a ninjutsu scroll, but I've never read any Scroll of Seals!"
Zhou Cheng continued playing dumb!
Beside him, Uzuki Yugao listened in bewilderment.
He read the Scroll of Seals?
Zhou Cheng was that bold?
That was a forbidden scroll! It was full of forbidden techniques!
"Fine, fine. You won't shed a tear until you see your own coffin, will you?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi leaned forward, continuing to pressure Zhou Cheng.
"I saw it with my own eyes. There's no mistake!"
Seeing that he could not bluff his way out, Zhou Cheng could only try a different approach.
"Oh, I remember now! So that scroll was the Scroll of Seals you were talking about!"
"I kept wondering why a ninjutsu scroll was so big!"
Uzuki Yugao was dumbfounded, her beautiful eyes filled with disbelief.
He really had read the Scroll of Seals. No wonder the Third Hokage was so furious.
"Village regulations state that anyone who reads the Scroll of Seals must be executed to prevent the village's secrets from leaking."
"Go in peace. I'll take care of Haku!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi played his trump card, hoping to frighten Zhou Cheng with the threat of death.
If Zhou Cheng had merely been a boy in his teens, he might really have been frightened to tears.
But Zhou Cheng had lived two lives and seen both the warmth and cruelty of human nature. There was nothing left that could frighten him.
He sneered inwardly. Still trying to get me to talk? I won't admit it, even if you beat me to death. Execute me for real if you have the guts.
Zhou Cheng's silence led both Hiruzen Sarutobi and Uzuki Yugao to believe that the boy had been scared senseless. For a long time, he did not move.
Hiruzen Sarutobi secretly rejoiced. The time has come!
He dropped his stern expression and looked kindly at Zhou Cheng, ready to begin the brainwashing!
"However, considering that you're an outsider and have only recently become a Shinobi, you aren't familiar with these prohibitions!"
"I can give you another chance. As long as you don't do it again and serve Konoha well, we can put this matter behind us!"
"Where leaves dance, fire burns on. Its light will continue to illuminate the village and make new leaves sprout."
"That is Konoha's Will of Fire!"